True to the original epoch

From the early days of the railway up to today

A dedication to detail is also reflected in the true-to-original features of the epoch. In addition to construction type, the livery, paintwork and detailed features of locomotives, wagons and accessories tell the history of the period. Whether you are a collector or an ambitious railway builder - BRAWA makes it easy to assemble a train set true to the original epoch. We stock locomotives and wagons of all six railway epochs according to the NEM standards (Normal European Modelling Standards) - the pictogram bar of the models lists a designation of the epoch. And here in our website we recommend appropriate models of the corresponding epoch for individual locomotives and wagons.

Epoch I: 1835 - 1920

Länderbahn epoch

The beginnings of the railway epoch are characterised by large state railways and numerous private railways mostly of regional significance. Accordingly, the construction types are numerous and the appearance of the locomotives and wagons has many different colours. Team locomotives are dominant.

Epoch II: 1920 - 1950

Reichsbahn epoch

Take-over of the Länderbahn railways by the German Reich and foundation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DRG) and other national state railways (DBÖ, SBB). The wide variety of locomotives and wagons was reduced due to the use of standard construction types. The last great heyday of the steam locomotives.

Epoch III: 1950 - 1970

Early Bundesbahn and Reichsbahn epoch

The railway networks in West (DB) and East (DR Germany develop independently of each other. An extremely mixed fleet of vehicles is formed, including steam, diesel and electric locomotives.

Epoch IV: 1970 - 1990

Late Bundesbahn and Reichsbahn epoch

The conversion to diesel and electric locomotives is more or less complete. Introduction of international vehicle designations. New train types such as TEE and InterCity or City and InterExpress trains as well as new colour concepts make the railway more varied and more colourful.

Epoch V: 1990 - 2007

Epoch of the Deutsche Bahn AG

Co-operation of both German state railways and conversion into Deutsche Bahn AG. Introduction of the ICE network. Application-oriented colour concept for locomotives and wagons. Partial privatisation of European state railways leads to a wide variety of colours on Europe's rail tracks.

Epoch VI: ab 2007

Epoch of liberalised railway traffic in Germany

New numbering system according to UIC or TSI (12-figure also for railcars), but no uniform design of livery.